Eikev – Peninim on the Torah

Sruly Schnair In Eikev, 5754

“To love Hashem your G-d, to walk in His ways, and to cleave/cling unto Him.” (22:11)

Chazal explain the concept of walking in Hashem’s ways as following in “His footsteps.” This means to emulate Hashem. Just as He is merciful, so should we be merciful. Just as He is charitable so should we be charitable. Emulating Hashem should be the governing factor in our performance of mitzvos. Horav Yaakov Neiman z.l. asserts that to perform a mitzvah for Hashem while simultaneously hurting a fellow Jew even indirectly is wrong and diametrically opposed to Hashem’s intention concerning mitzvah performance. We must remember our responsibility to reflect Hashem’s traits of mercy and caring. In Parashas Va’eschanan 4:9, the…

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Sruly Schnair In Eikev, 5754

“And (therefore) you shall place these My words on (in) your hearts and on (in) your soul.” (11:18)

Rashi states that the mitzvos of tefillin and mezuzah are distinct from others in that Bnei Yisrael are expected to continue to practice them even in exile. Thus, when they return to Eretz Yisrael, tefillin and mezuzah would not seem to be new/foreign mitzvos. The Vilna Gaon questions Rashi’s statement from the Talmud Kidushin 3b, which states that any mitzvah whose observance is limited specifically to the land (Eretz Yisrael) is not applicable to chutz la’aretz, countries outside of Eretz Yisrael. Those mitzvos which are not bound to the land, however, are applicable in Eretz Yisrael, as well as outside…

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Sruly Schnair In Eikev, 5754

“And at Taveirah and at Masah and at Kivros Ha’Taavah you made Hashem angry.” (9:22)

In Pirkei Avos 5 Chazal enumerate the ten trials with which Bnei Yisrael “tested” Hashem in the desert. It is interesting to note that Moshe interrupted his admonishment of Bnei Yisrael concerning the Golden Calf in order to mention the above sins as well as to mention the sins of the meraglim, spies. Why specifically does he mention these four sins? Horav Zalmen Sorotzkin z.l. asserts that this interruption is deliberate. Its purpose is to dispute the notion that Bnei Yisrael sinned with the Golden Calf as a result of their panic at the temporary absence of Moshe, their leader. …

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Sruly Schnair In Eikev, 5754

“Your clothes did not wax old upon you, neither did your foot swell these forty years… So I turned and came down from the mountain … and two luchos (were) on my two hands… and I looked and behold you had sinned against Hashem your G-d… and I took hold of the two luchos and cast them out of my two hands… At that time, Hashem said unto me, ‘hew for you two luchos of stone… and make for you an ark of wood’… and (I) went up the mountain having the two luchos in my hands.” (8:4, 9:15-17, 10:1,3)

It is human nature to speak about things we can and should do. On the other hand, sometimes we must also be aware of those things we think we can not accomplish, but we must try to do. In the beginning of this parsha, Moshe relates Klal Yisrael’s forty year sojourn in the desert until the moment when they stand ready to enter Eretz Yisrael. Indeed, as noted in the pesukim, the desert experience was more like paradise. Bnei Yisrael received water from stones and food from Heaven. Their clothes were always wearable, and their feet were never swollen. Their…

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“To love Hashem your G-d, to walk in His ways, and to cleave/cling unto Him.” (22:11)

“And (therefore) you shall place these My words on (in) your hearts and on (in) your soul.” (11:18)

“And at Taveirah and at Masah and at Kivros Ha’Taavah you made Hashem angry.” (9:22)

YEARS

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